Mrs. Eddie Geneva Anderson

The Life Of Eddie Geneva Anderson: Eddie Geneva Anderson was born on March 24, 1933 in Monticello, Arkansas to Leonard Williams and Eddie Mae Norrell. Always known as "Geneva" once leaving the south, she retired her name and announced to everyone she met that she was Geneva. Geneva's mother died giving birth, and she was subsequently raised by her grandparents, Arthur and Mary Norrell. Geneva received her education in the Drew County school system. She met Cornelius Daniels and after a short courtship her first son (Anthony Larry Williams) was born, Anthony would subsequently live off and on between Geneva and his father before she would leave for Michigan. In 1947, she departed Monticello with her two married aunts (Colly Will Prosper, and Johnnie Norrell Gilkey). Although they were only 10 years older, they would share in the upbringing of Geneva. She referred to them as Aunt Will and Aunt Johnnie even though they were more like sisters. They both preceded her in death. From that extended family they left Sharon (Ramone) Crowe as the only survivor of that close knit group. After moving to River Rouge, MI, Geneva gave her life to Christ, joining St. John AME Church, she continued to be a faithful member in good standing until her passing. Eventually, Geneva would meet her mate; Milton S. Anderson, as he was the paperboy on their route and she then found out he attended the same church. She would later find that Milton's father was the associate pastor at the church. After a long courtship that included separation by the Korean War, Milton asked her two aunts for permission (as was customary) and they were finally married in December of 1956. They would have six children from this union: Daryl, Gwen, Cheryl, Derrick, Donald, and Dwayne. In 1965, Anthony would rejoin the family with everyone living under one roof. Geneva worked as a stay-at-home mom, because back in her early teen years that was required. She always wanted to contribute to the family income but she also knew raising her children was just as important. Her love of cooking eventually would move her out of the house and into several restaurants where she would retire from the Jacobson store chain. In the spring of 1968, Geneva would re-unite with her father back in Monticello. This would bring together the two families for the first time. She would then meet her brothers Leonard and Tyronn, sisters Linda, Bessie, and Gladys. Both Bessie and Gladys preceded her in death. Over the years she would grow closer to Lenny as he came to town for his concerts. She loved her brother and talked with him often. Never missing an opportunity to see him perform his music and later stage plays. She especially enjoyed when he did a birthday show for the Queen of Soul; a quiet guest only (and our family) event staged at the Opera House in Detroit. Geneva was a giver, never a taker. To everyone she encountered, she would always think of you first. In her later years, she would shop catalogs and just buy things for people, just because. Always cheerful and nice, she would go out of her way to help anyone. Living on Dawes Street for 42 years it became a family block. Everyone knew each other. She will miss her long standing neighbors; John & JoAnn Benson, Virginia Smith, Mr. Guyton, and her running buddy Nadine Beachum. She will miss talking to Nadine every night before going to bed and first thing in the morning. Geneva was an avid gardener, often purchasing flowers and grass seed for her neighbors so everyone's yard "looked right". Loving to cook, she amassed over 100 cookbooks for various styles of cooking. She loved reading and in her later years adopted technology as a reading tool. Geneva loved to travel and always tried to visit family and make the annual family reunions, no matter what city they were held in. On July 24th, one year and one day after her other running buddy (Marjorie) passed on, she departed this life.

Mrs. Eddie Geneva Anderson

March 24, 1933 - July 24, 2015